Ryan Zinke

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Ryan Zinke
Ryan Zinke official congressional photo (crop).jpg
52nd United States Secretary of the Interior
Assumed office
March 1, 2017
President Donald Trump
Preceded by Sally Jewell
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Montana's At-large district
In office
January 3, 2015 – March 1, 2017
Preceded by Steve Daines
Succeeded by Greg Gianforte
Member of the Montana Senate
from the 2nd district
In office
January 2009 – January 2011
Preceded by Dan Weinberg
Succeeded by Dee Brown
Personal details
Born (1961-11-01) November 1, 1961 (age 62)
Bozeman, Montana, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Lolita Hand
Children Wolfgang
Konrad
Jennifer
Education University of Oregon (BS)
National University (MBA)
University of San Diego (MS)
Awards Bronze Star ribbon.svg Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service ribbon.svg Meritorious Service Medal
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch United States Navy SeAL United States Navy
Years of service 1985–2008
Rank US-O5 insignia.svg Commander
Unit Naval Special Warfare Development Group.jpg DEVGRU

Ryan Zinke (born November 1, 1961) is an American politician who is the 52nd United States Secretary of the Interior. A Republican, he previously served as the representative for Montana's at-large congressional district from 2015 until 2017. He served as a member of the Montana Senate, representing Senate District 2 from 2009 to 2011.[1]

Education

Zinke attended the University of Oregon, where he was an All Pac-10 lineman for the Oregon Ducks. A student-athlete, Zinke earned a B.S. in geology. Zinke also earned an MBA from National University and an MS from the University of San Diego.[2]

Military career

Zinke served as a U.S. Navy SEAL from 1986 to 2008, retiring at the rank of Commander.[3] Zinke graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training class 136 in February 1986 and subsequently served with SEAL TEAM ONE from 1986 to 1988. His next assignment was as a First Phase Officer of BUD/S before serving with United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG) from 1991 to 1993. Zinke then served as a Plans officer for Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe (CINCUSNAVEUR) and served a second tour with NSWDG as team leader and operations officer from 1996 to 1999. From 1999 to 2001, Zinke served as executive officer (XO) for the Naval Special Warfare Unit Two. His next assignment was as executive officer, Naval Special Warfare Center from 2001 to 2004.

In 2004, Zinke was named the deputy and acting commander of Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force–Arabian Peninsula. In this capacity, Zinke led a force of more than 3,500 Special Operations personnel in Iraq. Zinke was awarded two Bronze Stars for meritorious service in a combat zone,[4] four Meritorious Service Medals,[4] two Joint Service Commendation Medals, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals,[5] and an Army Commendation Medal.[5] Following his tours in Iraq, Zinke was selected to establish the Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Command, where he served as “Dean” of the Naval Special Warfare graduate school until his retirement from active duty in 2008.

Political career

Zinke was elected to the Montana Senate in 2008, serving from 2009 to 2011, representing Whitefish, Montana.

He was the running mate of Montana gubernatorial candidate Neil Livingstone in the 2012 election.[6] The Livingstone/Zinke ticket finished fifth out of seven in the Republican primary with 12,038 votes (8.8% of the vote).

U.S. House of Representatives

2014 election

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In spring of 2014, Zinke announced that he was running for Montana's at-large congressional district, held by Republican Steve Daines, who was running for the U.S. Senate.[7] Zinke won the Republican primary with 43,766 votes (33.25%) and faced Libertarian Mike Fellows and Democrat John Lewis, a former State Director for U.S. Senator Max Baucus, in the general election.

Zinke campaigned on a message of North American energy independence, a stronger economy, and a robust national defense and border security. Zinke won a five-way primary election and was elected to Congress on November 4, 2014, with 56% of the vote and over 200,000 total votes.[8]

2016 election

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Zinke is running for re-election in 2016. He is running unopposed in the Republican primary. He will face Denise Juneau in the general election.[9]

Committee assignments

Secretary of Interior

Vice President Mike Pence swore Zinke in as Secretary of the Interior on the evening of March 1, 2017 after Zinke was confirmed 68-31 by the Senate earlier in the day.[10] On his first full day on the job, Zinke rode a horse to his office and proceeded to issue a secretarial order overturning a ban on hunting with lead ammunition that had been enacted on the final full day of the Obama administration.[11]

Personal

Zinke is married to Lolita (née Hand).[12] They have three children.

References

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External links

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Montana's At-large congressional district

2015–2017
Succeeded by
Greg Gianforte
Political offices
Preceded by United States Secretary of the Interior
2017–present
Incumbent